EP0715256B1 - Regelprüfungeinrichtung und Fuzzy-Interferenzverfahren - Google Patents

Regelprüfungeinrichtung und Fuzzy-Interferenzverfahren Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0715256B1
EP0715256B1 EP96100926A EP96100926A EP0715256B1 EP 0715256 B1 EP0715256 B1 EP 0715256B1 EP 96100926 A EP96100926 A EP 96100926A EP 96100926 A EP96100926 A EP 96100926A EP 0715256 B1 EP0715256 B1 EP 0715256B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rules
rule
input
fuzzy
fuzzy inference
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96100926A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0715256A1 (de
Inventor
Takeshi Yamakawa
Tsutomu c/o Patent Center Ishida
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Omron Corp
Original Assignee
Omron Corp
Omron Tateisi Electronics Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Omron Corp, Omron Tateisi Electronics Co filed Critical Omron Corp
Publication of EP0715256A1 publication Critical patent/EP0715256A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0715256B1 publication Critical patent/EP0715256B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06NCOMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
    • G06N5/00Computing arrangements using knowledge-based models
    • G06N5/04Inference or reasoning models
    • G06N5/048Fuzzy inferencing
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06NCOMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
    • G06N5/00Computing arrangements using knowledge-based models
    • G06N5/04Inference or reasoning models
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06NCOMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
    • G06N7/00Computing arrangements based on specific mathematical models
    • G06N7/02Computing arrangements based on specific mathematical models using fuzzy logic
    • G06N7/026Development tools for entering the parameters of a fuzzy system

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a rule rule verifying apparatus for fuzzy control and is a divisional application to the application 89 115 189.6 published as EP-A-0 355 716.
  • a fuzzy control device for performing control by fuzzy inferences or fuzzy arithmetic operations has been in the spotlight.
  • the fuzzy control device is also referred to as a fuzzy inference arithmetic unit, a fuzzy controller or a fuzzy computer, which is realized by not only a dedicated device for fuzzy inferences (either an analogue or digital type device) (see, for example, "NIKKEI ELECTRONICS", NIKKEI McGRAW HILL BOOK COMPANY, September 27, 1987, No. 426, pp. 148-152) but also a binary type computer, processor or the like programmed so as to implement fuzzy inferences.
  • membership functions concerning input and output variables and rules must be set in order to operate the fuzzy control device.
  • the rules and the membership functions are mutually related, so that their designs made to obtain desired control performance are substantially complicated.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of automatically generating rules for fuzzy control, at least candidates for applicable rules.
  • the present invention also provides an apparatus capable of verifying whether or not a rule made or set is appropriate.
  • the rule means herein a rule of an IF-THEN type or a rule for a modus ponens inference.
  • a rule generating apparatus for fuzzy control comprises; means for storing a plurality of predetermined membership functions for fuzzy control concerning an input variable and a plurality of predetermined membership functions for fuzzy control concerning an output variable; means for inputting paired data comprising a predetermined input value and an output value to be obtained by a fuzzy inference when the predetermined input value is given; first processing means for finding degrees of adaptation of the given input value to the plurality of membership functions (grades of membership functions) concerning the input variable to extract a membership function concerning which the found degree of adaptation exceeds a required first reference degree of adaptation; second processing means for finding degrees of adaptation of the given output value to the plurality of membership functions concerning the output variable to extract a membership function concerning which the found degree of adaptation exceeds a required second reference degree of adaptation; and means for outputting the extracted membership functions concerning the input and output variables.
  • This rule generating apparatus is applicable to not only a case in which there is one kind of input variable but also a case in which there are two or more kinds of input variables.
  • the rule generating apparatus is particularly useful in a case in which an input value to a fuzzy control device and an output value corresponding thereto have been previously found.
  • Data concerning the input value and the output value can be obtained from past data of the system to be controlled such as running data and operating data.
  • applicable rules or candidates to be employed as rules can be obtained only by entering a pair of the input value and the output value corresponding thereto.
  • the generated rules may be used without any modification. Alternatively, only rules of particular use extracted from the generated rules by suitable selection based on simulation or the like can be used. According to the present invention, time or labor required to make rules can be significantly reduced in the above described manner.
  • a rule verifying apparatus for fuzzy control comprises; means for storing set rules and membership functions concerning input and output variables and related to the rules; means for specifying a rule to be excepted; inference means for subjecting a given or arbitrary input value to a fuzzy inference operation using rules excluding the rule specified as one to be excepted to obtain a corresponding output value; and means for outputting the output value obtained by the fuzzy inference operation.
  • the present invention when a rule to be excepted is specified, a fuzzy inference is made in accordance with rules excluding the specified rule, to obtain the result thereof. Accordingly, the present invention is particularly effective in examining which rule is important out of a lot of applicable rules. Consequently, the number of rules to be finally set can be reduced.
  • a rule generating apparatus for fuzzy control according to the present invention is feasible by a binary type computer, for example, a microprocessor.
  • the rule generating apparatus for fuzzy control is realized by an ordinary computer system including a CPU.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a rule generating and verifying apparatus for fuzzy control, which comprises a CPU 1 for performing rule generating and verifying processing and a memory 2 connected thereto.
  • the memory 2 stores membership functions concerning input and output variables and other data.
  • the CPU 1 is further connected to a display device 3 and an input device 4.
  • the display device 3 is, for example, a CRT (cathode ray tube) display device.
  • Input and output values, the membership functions, generated rules and the like are displayed on the display device 3.
  • the input device 4 comprises a mouse for specifying the positions of points indicating the input and output values on a display screen, keys attached to the mouse, and various function keys, a ten-key pad and the like provided on a keyboard.
  • a printer for example, in addition to the display device 3, may be connected as an output device.
  • PL, PM, PS, ZR, NS, NM and NL respectively represent a positive large value, a positive medium value, a positive small value, almost zero, a negative small value, a negative medium value and a negative large value.
  • the above described rules are automatically generated by providing the inputs x (and y) and the output z corresponding thereto (an output value to be obtained by a fuzzy inference when the inputs x (y) are applied).
  • a coordinate system comprising the axis of abscissa for the input variable x and the axis of ordinate for the output variable z and membership functions respectively concerning the input variable x and the output variable z with respect to the axis of abscissa and the axis of ordinate are displayed on the display screen of the display device 3.
  • membership functions in the triangular shape are illustrated for simplicity.
  • the membership function concerning the input variable x and the membership function concerning the output variable z are precisely the same. Such membership functions have been previously set in the memory 2.
  • a display band area CV for indicating a range of the input variable x covered with made rules is further displayed on the display screen.
  • a reference degree of adaptation ⁇ is entered from the keyboard of the input device 4 (step 11).
  • This reference degree of adaptation ⁇ is used in determining whether or not a membership function is used as a candidate for a rule.
  • a function value of a membership function with respect to an input value is larger than this reference degree of adaptation ⁇ , the membership function is employed as a candidate for a rule.
  • the reference degree of adaptation must be set respectively with respect to an input and an output.
  • degrees of adaptation of the input value x 1 to all the membership functions concerning the input variable are respectively calculated, to extract a membership function or membership functions to be employed as a candidate for a rule or candidates for rules on the basis of the result of this calculation (steps 13 to 18).
  • i is set to 1 (step 13), MF Ii (x) is calculated (step 14), it is determined whether or not MF Ii (x) exceeds the reference degree of adaptation ⁇ (step 15), and MF Ii is registered at an input rule table in the memory 2 if it exceeds the reference degree of adaptation ⁇ (step 16). After this processing is performed or if the answer is in the negative in the step 15, i is incremented (step 17). Processing in the steps 14 to 17 is repeated until i reaches M I + 1.
  • a rule is made which respectively takes the membership function MF Ii concerning an input variable registered at the rule table in the step 16 and the membership function MF Oj concerning an output variable registered at an output rule table in the step 22 as an antecedent and a consequent.
  • This rule is displayed on the display device 3 (step 25, see Fig. 4).
  • the registered membership functions MF I and MF O are respectively only NL and NM with respect to the point P 1 . Accordingly, only one rule (rule 1) is made. "then” is represented by an arrow on the display screen. Furthermore, in the display band area CV on the display screen, a range of the input variable x covered with this rule 1 (i.e., membership function NL) is represented by hatching.
  • step 25 when a plurality of membership functions concerning input and output variables are registered, rules are made by a combination of these membership functions. For example, when the respective numbers of the registered membership functions MF I and MF O are two, a total of four rules are made.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the display screen in a case in which the five points (P 1 to P 5 ) are inputted and making of rules related to the points is terminated.
  • the rule 1 is made on the basis of the point P 1 , as described above.
  • rules 2 and 3 are made on the basis of the point P 2
  • a rule 4 is made on the basis of the point P 3
  • rules 5 and 6 are made on the basis of the point P 4
  • a rule 7 is made on the basis of the point P 5 .
  • the entire display band area CV is represented by hatching. Accordingly, it is found that all areas of the input variable x are completely covered with a range of definition of the membership functions which are related to the rules 1 to 7.
  • the rule generating and verifying apparatus can also verify whether or not correct fuzzy control can be achieved on the basis of the plurality of rules made in the above described manner.
  • the verifying operation includes verification and interpolation with respect to input points.
  • the input value x 1 representing the input point P 1 is subjected to a fuzzy inference using all the made rules 1 to 7 to obtain the result z c1 of the inference with respect to the corresponding output value z 1 , thereby to display a point C 1 (x 1 , z c1 ).
  • the input point P 1 and the point C 1 obtained by the inference are overlapped with each other, which indicates that the rules are appropriate.
  • a known operation rule for fuzzy inference for example, a MIN-MAX operation rule can be used for fuzzy inferences.
  • an input value x 2 representing the input point P 2 is subjected to a fuzzy inference using all the rules, thereby to display a point C 2 (x 2 , z c2 ) obtained by the inference.
  • the point C 2 is slightly shifted from the input point P 2 . It is necessary for an operator to determine whether or not this shift is allowed.
  • each of input values representing the input points is subjected to a fuzzy inference using all the rules, thereby to display a point indicating the result of the inference on the display screen.
  • Verification by interpolation is achieved in the following manner.
  • One or a plurality of interpolation points are selected between two points such as between input values x 1 and x 2 and between x 2 and x 3 .
  • the interpolation points may be set at constant intervals.
  • the operator may enter the interpolation points using the input device 4 or the CPU 1 may automatically set the same.
  • Each of the interpolation points is subjected to a fuzzy inference operation using all the rules so as to obtain an output value corresponding thereto.
  • Points defined by the interpolation points (input values) (the x-coordinate) and the output values obtained by the inference (the z-coordinate) are represented by hollow circles on the coordinate system of the display screen as shown in Fig. 7. The operator can verify by watching this display whether or not inferences can be suitably implemented in places other than the input points using the made rules.
  • the significance of the made rules can be checked. This check is performed by excepting a rule to be checked from the inference operation.
  • a rule to be excepted is specified by the input device 4, the specified rule is enclosed with a frame D on the display screen as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7.
  • the above described verification or interpolation with respect to the input points can be achieved using all rules other than the rule thus specified to be excepted, so that the results of inferences are displayed in the same manner.
  • the operator can determine by watching this display whether the excepted rule is indispensable or is not necessarily required.
  • Not only one but also a plurality of rules can be simultaneously specified as rules to be excepted.
  • the rule generating and verifying apparatus may be returned to the above described rule generation mode after such rule verifying processing.
  • a new rule can be generated or a rule made by the operator can be entered. Thereafter, the operation in the verification mode may be performed again.
  • rules may be generated or verified again in the same manner by changing the shapes of or modifying the membership functions.
  • the apparatus can generate a non-linear function using made rules. Accordingly, the apparatus can be utilized as a function generator.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fuzzy Systems (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Evolutionary Computation (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
  • Computational Linguistics (AREA)
  • Computational Mathematics (AREA)
  • Algebra (AREA)
  • Mathematical Analysis (AREA)
  • Mathematical Optimization (AREA)
  • Pure & Applied Mathematics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Feedback Control In General (AREA)
  • Devices For Executing Special Programs (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Regelverifizierungsvorrichtung für Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerung, mit
    Speichermitteln (2) zum Speichern gesetzter Fuzzy-Regeln und Fuzzy-Zugehörigkeitsfunktionen betreffend Eingangs- und Ausgangsvariable und zu den gesetzten Regeln in Beziehung stehend,
    Eingabemitteln (4),
    Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsmitteln (1), die mit den Speichermitteln (2) und den Eingabemitteln (4) verbunden sind und einen Eingabewert einem Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsvorgang unterwerfen,
    mit den Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsmitteln (1) verbundenen Ausgabemitteln (3), welche den Ausgabewert, der durch den mit den Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsmitteln (1) durchgeführten Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsvorgang gewonnen ist, ausgeben,
       dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    die Eingabemittel (4) Eingabemittel zum Spezifizieren wenigstens einer Regel sind, die vorübergehend aus dem Satz von Regeln auszuschließen ist, wenn der Satz von Regel in einem Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsvorgang verwendet wird, wobei die wenigstens eine vorübergehend ausgeschlossene Regel zusammen mit den anderen gesetzten Regeln gespeichert verbleibt,
    die Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsmittel den Eingabewert dem Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsvorgang unter Verwendung der gespeicherten Regeln unter Auschluß der wenigstens einen Regel, die als vorübergehend ausgeschlossen spezifiziert ist, unterwirft, um den Ausgabewert zu erhalten.
  2. Regelverifizierungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Eingabemittel (4) Eingabemittel zur Spezifizierung einer Anzahl gespeicherter Regeln, die vorübergehend auszuschließen sind, sind.
  3. Regelverifizierungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Ausgabemittel eine Anzeigevorrichtung (3) zur Anzeige des Ausgabewerts sind.
  4. Regelverifizierungsverfahren für Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerung, welche
    das Speichern in einem Speicher (2) von gesetzten Fuzzy-Regeln und Fuzzy-Zugehörigkeitsfunktionen betreffend Eingangs- und Ausgangsvariable und zu den gesetzten Regeln in Beziehung stehend aufweist, gekennzeichnet durch das
    Spezifizieren mit einer Eingabevorrichtung (4) von wenigstens einer gespeicherten Regel die vorübergehend aus den gesetzten Regeln auszuschließen ist, wenn die gesetzten Regeln in einem Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsvorgang verwendet werden, wobei die wenigstens eine vorübergehend ausgeschlossene Regel zusammen mit den anderen gesetzten Regeln gespeichert verbleibt,
    Unterwerfen eines Eingangswerts einem Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsvorgang mit einem Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsprozessor unter Verwendung der gespeicherten gesetzten Regeln unter Ausschluß der wengistens einen Regel, die als vorübergehend ausgeschlossen spezifiziert ist, zur Gewinnung eines entsprechenden Ausgabewerts, und
    Ausgeben des mit dem Fuzzy-Schlußfolgerungsvorgang gewonnenen Ausgabewerts an eine Ausgabevorrichtung (3).
  5. Regelverifizierungsverfahren für Fuzzy-Steuerung nach Anspruch 4, wobei der Spezifizierungsschritt eine Anzahl gespeicherter Regeln als vorübergehend aus den gesetzten Regeln auszuschließen spezifiziert.
  6. Regelverifizierungsverfahren für Fuzzy-Steuerung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, wobei der Ausgabeschritt den Ausgabewert auf einer Anzeigevorrichtung (3) anzeigt.
EP96100926A 1988-08-18 1989-08-17 Regelprüfungeinrichtung und Fuzzy-Interferenzverfahren Expired - Lifetime EP0715256B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP63203912A JP2696972B2 (ja) 1988-08-18 1988-08-18 フアジイ・ルール発生装置および方法,ならびに確認装置および方法
JP203912/88 1988-08-18
EP89115189A EP0355716B1 (de) 1988-08-18 1989-08-17 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Erzeugen von Regeln für unscharfe Inferenz

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89115189A Division EP0355716B1 (de) 1988-08-18 1989-08-17 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Erzeugen von Regeln für unscharfe Inferenz
EP89115189.6 Division 1989-08-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0715256A1 EP0715256A1 (de) 1996-06-05
EP0715256B1 true EP0715256B1 (de) 1997-07-23

Family

ID=16481750

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89115189A Expired - Lifetime EP0355716B1 (de) 1988-08-18 1989-08-17 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Erzeugen von Regeln für unscharfe Inferenz
EP96100926A Expired - Lifetime EP0715256B1 (de) 1988-08-18 1989-08-17 Regelprüfungeinrichtung und Fuzzy-Interferenzverfahren

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89115189A Expired - Lifetime EP0355716B1 (de) 1988-08-18 1989-08-17 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Erzeugen von Regeln für unscharfe Inferenz

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0355716B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2696972B2 (de)
AT (1) ATE153785T1 (de)
DE (2) DE68928071T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03259622A (ja) * 1990-03-09 1991-11-19 Pioneer Electron Corp ノイズ低減回路
JPH0414104A (ja) * 1990-05-08 1992-01-20 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd ファジィ開発支援装置
JP3211241B2 (ja) * 1990-07-27 2001-09-25 オムロン株式会社 近似推論装置
US5481647A (en) * 1991-03-22 1996-01-02 Raff Enterprises, Inc. User adaptable expert system
JPH06131188A (ja) * 1992-10-22 1994-05-13 Hitachi Ltd ファジィルール獲得方法およびファジィ推論システム
DE4315948A1 (de) * 1993-05-12 1994-11-17 Siemens Ag Verfahren zum Entwurf eines Fuzzy-Reglers
US10838376B2 (en) 2015-09-10 2020-11-17 I.Systems Automação Industrial S.A Method of generating fuzzy knowledge base for a programmable fuzzy controller

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60204002A (ja) * 1984-03-28 1985-10-15 Fuji Electric Co Ltd ファジィ調節装置の模擬ファジィ推定演算装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2696972B2 (ja) 1998-01-14
EP0355716B1 (de) 1997-05-28
JPH0253102A (ja) 1990-02-22
EP0715256A1 (de) 1996-06-05
DE68928071D1 (de) 1997-07-03
EP0355716A2 (de) 1990-02-28
DE68928208T2 (de) 1998-03-26
ATE153785T1 (de) 1997-06-15
DE68928208D1 (de) 1997-09-04
DE68928071T2 (de) 1998-01-22
EP0355716A3 (de) 1990-12-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5189728A (en) Rule generating and verifying apparatus for fuzzy control
US5471677A (en) Data retrieval using user evaluation of data presented to construct interference rules and calculate range of inputs needed for desired output and to formulate retrieval queries
US4730259A (en) Matrix controlled expert system producible from examples
O'leary Methods of validating expert systems
US5487130A (en) Fuzzy rule acquisition method and apparatus for fuzzy inference system and fuzzy inference system using the apparatus
US5347615A (en) Rule generating and verifying apparatus for fuzzy control using temporary exclusion of a selected rule
EP0715256B1 (de) Regelprüfungeinrichtung und Fuzzy-Interferenzverfahren
EP0471843B1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zur definition von mitgliedfunktionen
Riesbeck An interface for case-based knowledge acquisition
KR950004454B1 (ko) 근사 추론 장치
EP0709800A2 (de) Verfahren zur Gestaltung von Klassifikationbäumen
US5463718A (en) Learning method and apparatus
Koza Simultaneous discovery of detectors and a way of using the detectors via genetic programming
EP0513689A2 (de) Verfahren und Gerät zur Fertigstellung von Daten einer Mitgliedschaftsfunktion
Boussouf et al. Scalable feature selection using rough set theory
US5988844A (en) Method for arranging a fuzzy controller or a system of interlinked fuzzy controllers
JP2000237937A (ja) 生産システムの設計支援方法
JP2643295B2 (ja) ファジィ制御演算装置およびファジィ推論方法
Williams et al. Activity analysis: Simplifying optimal design problems through qualitative partitioning
Santamarina et al. Fuzzy windows and classification systems
JP3186086B2 (ja) ルールのグループ化方法および装置,ならびにグループ化されたルールにしたがうファジィ推論方法および装置
Park et al. Towards increasing the learning speed of gradient descent method in fuzzy system
Vanthienen et al. Restructuring and simplifying rule bases
JP2767625B2 (ja) ファジィ推論装置およびその動作方法
Eremeyev et al. A real time decision support system for monitoring and management of a complex object using parallel processing

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19960123

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 355716

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19960923

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 355716

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 68928208

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19970904

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 746

Effective date: 20000503

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: D6

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050817

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20080829

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20080808

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20080708

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20090816

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20090816

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20080825

Year of fee payment: 20

PGRI Patent reinstated in contracting state [announced from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Effective date: 20091201